2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It served as an entry-level BMW, appealing to those aspiring to own a vehicle with the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2021 model year saw the addition of standard equipment, a sport automatic transmission limited to the M Sport Package or M235i, and a new adaptive damping suspension. The test car, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with the M Sport Package, Premium Package, and other premium features, bringing the MSRP to $48,595.

Visually, the 2 Series Gran Coupe faced challenges due to its front-drive platform, but BMW employed design tricks like large LED headlights and grilles to mitigate the perception of excessive front overhang. The cabin was pulled back to improve the dashboard-to-axle ratio, and the tapering roofline extended the car's appearance, culminating in a busy rear end. Inside, the Gran Coupe adhered to BMW's modern design language, featuring geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather upholstery was appealing. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when equipped with premium features, did not look or feel like a basic BMW.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback arrived at a time when hatchback popularity was waning, with many automakers discontinuing the body style in favor of small crossover SUVs. However, Honda saw an opportunity and redesigned the Civic hatchback to capture a significant share of the remaining market. Produced in Indiana, it was one of the few compact cars still made in the U.S. The new Civic hatchback was expected to serve as the foundation for the revived 2023 Acura Integra, potentially sparking a hatchback renaissance. The 2022 Civic hatchback needed to prove itself, and based on a week of driving, it was more appealing than most of its rivals, though not without room for improvement.

Honda offered the Civic hatch in LX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring trims, with prices ranging from $22,900 to $29,400, plus a $1,015 destination charge. The test cars were both Sport Touring trims, one with a CVT and the other with a six-speed manual transmission. The new hatchback shared its front-end design with the Civic sedan but featured a different grille pattern and unique wheel designs. From the front doors to the rear, it was a distinct vehicle. The Civic hatchback's design addressed the visual weight over the front wheels, though it still suffered from a stubby rear end. Inside, the Civic hatchback mirrored the sedan's interior, with Sport Touring trim adding sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The metal honeycomb dashboard detailing and high-quality controls contributed to a sense of sophistication, though the CVT shifter operation was slightly janky.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed the question of whether a front-drive platform could credibly serve as an "ultimate driving machine." While some critics, like George Kennedy, were skeptical, others found the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe comparable to the revered Volkswagen GTI, which also featured a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 2 Series Gran Coupe offered xDrive all-wheel drive, enhancing its performance on various road surfaces and weather conditions. BMW quoted a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of six seconds for the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, powered by a turbocharged inline-four engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. The car featured performance-enhancing technology like brake-fade compensation, cornering brake control, and three driving modes. The M Sport Package added fantastic M Sport steering, making the car suitable for various driving environments. The suspension was firm but only noticeable over sharp road anomalies, and the Gran Coupe felt glued to the road, though the all-season run-flat tires squealed at the limit of adhesion. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe averaged 27.9 mpg, slightly beating the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission in the Sport trim. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims boasted a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel-drive option. The Sport and Sport Touring trims rode on 18-inch aluminum wheels with 235/40 Continental all-season tires. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, and paddle shifters on the Sport and Sport Touring models added to the driving experience. The Sport Touring with a six-speed manual transmission was a standout, offering short throws, fluid gear engagement, and excellent clutch modulation. The Civic hatchback's suspension was firm yet comfortable, and the steering and brakes provided a satisfying driving experience. However, the all-season tires and brakes were not suited for aggressive driving on winding roads. The Sport Touring trim achieved 32.1 mpg with the CVT and 30.2 mpg with the manual transmission, close to the EPA estimates.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and limber people. The sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats were snug but comfortable, and there was adequate storage for typical items. Entry and exit were not effortless due to the car's low-slung design. The Gran Coupe's rear doors and back seat were not convincing, as larger individuals found it challenging to enter and sit comfortably. The rear seat offered air vents and USB charging ports, but the hard plastic front seatbacks could be uncomfortable. The Gran Coupe featured a traditional trunk with 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a generous storage compartment under the load floor. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added utility, but the car lacked the full sportback treatment of the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a trunk measuring 24.5 cubic feet and an innovative two-piece cargo shade. The back seat was a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, with sufficient legroom, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and both front seats were heated. The Civic hatchback featured black fabric seats in LX and Sport trims, while the EX-L and Sport Touring had black leather upholstery. Automatic climate control was standard, with a dual-zone system in the EX-L and Sport Touring. The lack of rear air conditioning vents was a minor drawback, but the rear smartphone charging ports were appreciated.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between traditional analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro with a fully digital 10.25-inch display, resembling a video game. The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system used BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, and connected services. The system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe had a premium sound system with ten speakers, though it was unbranded. Gesture Control was available but not always accurate. The test car included a full-color head-up display, though it was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system. The LX, Sport, and EX-L trims had a 7-inch touchscreen display with physical knobs and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport Touring trim offered a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 surround-sound audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs addressed previous criticisms of Honda's infotainment interfaces. The Civic's voice recognition system worked well, and the digital instrumentation varied by trim, with the Sport Touring featuring a 10.2-inch display panel. The Sport Touring's infotainment system was superior, though the Sport trim's speakers were mediocre.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature, though the test car did not have this upgrade. The Active Driving Assistant included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick due to poor or marginal headlight ratings and a less-than-perfect vehicle-to-pedestrian test result.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with Honda Sensing, an improved safety suite with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. It included Road Departure Mitigation and Lane Keeping Assist, though the latter was confusingly named. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were exclusive to the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety features and engineering. The Honda Sensing system worked well, though it could be overly cautious in some situations.